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2002 kia spectra ls mpg12/26/2023 In 2002, Kia dropped the Sephia name altogether and began calling the sedan "Spectra" as well. New to Kia's lineup, the four-door Spectra hatchback served as a more youthful and practical complement to the more pedestrian Sephia sedan, with which it shared its 124-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and major mechanicals. The first-generation Kia Spectra was launched in the 2000 model year as a four-door hatchback and was offered through the 2004 model year (with the changeover to the current model happening midyear). Those looking for a used second-generation Spectra should note that resale values are quite low, so good deals will likely be easy to find. Criticisms included the engine's lack of pep at high speeds, disappointing real-world fuel economy, and steering that was a tad sloppy. In reviews, we generally praised the Kia Spectra for its lengthy list of standard equipment, user-friendly cabin design, decent build and materials quality, smooth ride and competent handling. The Spectra's safety features included standard front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes. The SX model added upgraded interior and exterior trim, along with firmer suspension tuning and bigger wheels and tires. The LX was bare-bones, but the EX boasted air-conditioning, a CD stereo, full power accessories and keyless entry. The Spectra5 hatchback was available in a single SX trim. The sedan was offered in three trim levels - LX, EX and SX. A standard five-speed manual transmission routed power to the front wheels, and a four-speed automatic was optional. Both body styles featured a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provided spirited performance around town but felt a little winded during highway passing maneuvers. It was a compact sedan or (as of 2005) a hatchback that could seat four comfortably and five in a pinch. The most recent (second-generation) Kia Spectra was sold from midway through the 2004 model year through 2009. If you just need wheels on the cheap, a used Spectra could satisfy, but we'd recommend anteing up for a more sophisticated rival. However, the Spectra was still at the bottom of the crowded economy sedan segment when it was put out to pasture after the 2009 model year. But the second-generation Spectra sedan and Spectra5 four-door hatchback counterpart moved up the scale considerably in terms of style, substance and refinement. They reinforced the cheap-car image Americans held at the time regarding Korean cars. The original Kia Spectra hatchback and sedan were unrefined, underpowered and cheaply constructed. Kia never quite managed to do that with its now-defunct Spectra, though its replacement, the Forte is considerably closer to this ideal. Great car for college students, or anyone else wanting a fun cheap ride.People buy compact economy cars because they're affordable and fuel-efficient, but the secret to building a great econobox is to make it look, feel and drive like a more expensive car than it really is. If I tone it down, take off slower, and don't speed shift, I can get anywhere from 34-38 MPG. I can drive it harder than any other car I've ever had, and the lowest MPG I ever get is 28. It has never leaked oil, no clicks, no knocks, and gaskets are all fine. The 'new' motor had 76,000 when I bought it at a wrecking yard. I actually put a 'new' motor in the car when I bought it. It does need struts badly right now, but those have never been changed before, and we live on rough country roads so that is expected. I know other people that have this same model car, and their cars are still running great, cranking every time close to 300,000. Moral of the story, be sure to change the timing belts on these cars and you can run them over 200,000 miles. When a car has over 170,000 miles on it and nothing has ever been touched in the motor, you shouldn't be running it over 6,000 rpm's. I bought this car, because a little over 178000, the previous owner (who had only owned the car a month) blew the motor up when the timing belt broke.
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